President Murmu's Bastar Visit a Moment of Pride, Will Grace Historical Muria Darbar
Welcoming the scheduled two-day presidential visit to the tribal heartland of central India, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the arrival of President Droupadi Murmu in Bastar marks a profoundly historic and proud milestone for the entire state. Interacting with journalists in the capital city of Raipur on Friday, October 16, 2026, the Chief Minister confirmed that President Murmu will undertake an official visit across Chhattisgarh on October 22 and 23. The high-profile itinerary features a landmark visit to Jagdalpur on October 23, where she will participate in the centuries-old traditional tribal assembly, the Muria Darbar, fulfilling an earnest public invitation extended by community elders and the state administration to honor indigenous democratic heritage.
Honoring Bastar's Indigenous Heritage: The Muria Darbar Connection
The President's engagement in Jagdalpur honors deep-seated traditional tribal leadership conventions that have governed the region for generations:
Fulfilling Indigenous Aspirations: Chief Minister Sai shared that during a prior high-level meeting with traditional community representatives of the Manjhi-Chalaki network from Bastar, community elders had personally appealed for the President's gracious presence, which she accepted with great affection.
Preserving Century-Old Democratic Customs: On October 23, President Murmu will address local tribal delegations at the prestigious Muria Darbar in Jagdalpur, an indigenous open-court tradition where community grievances, customary resolutions, and administrative dialogues converge as part of the world-renowned Bastar Dussehra festivities.
A Symbol of Cultural Empowerment: As India's first tribal woman head of state, President Murmu's historic visit to Bastar is viewed across regional tribal communities as an emotional, empowering moment that celebrates indigenous self-governance and preservation of tribal culture.
Dantewada Welfare Camp: Empowering Victims of Naxal Violence with Assistive Devices
Highlighting ongoing state rehabilitation and social justice interventions in southern Chhattisgarh, the Chief Minister underscored proactive measures taken for conflict-hit families:
Direct Support for Affected Individuals: CM Sai referenced an extensive humanitarian distribution initiative conducted in Dantewada, designed specifically to allocate critical assistive equipment, prosthetics, and rehabilitative mobility devices to individuals living with disabilities and victims of Naxalite violence.
Central Backing via Home Ministry: The transformative aid distribution camp was formally addressed via video conference by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, reflecting central-state coordination in restoring normalcy across former insurgency hotbeds.
Fostering Dignity and Economic Self-Reliance: The state government reiterated its unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive rehabilitation, sustainable livelihood avenues, and social security pensions so that those impacted by left-wing extremism can rebuild their lives with enduring confidence, self-reliance, and dignity.
Historic International Women's Cricket: Free Stadium Entry Announced for Female Fans
In another major sporting development boosting youth and women empowerment across Chhattisgarh, the state is gearing up to host top-tier global cricket:
First International Women's Match: The state is hosting its inaugural international women's cricket encounter, featuring an exciting bilateral face-off between the Indian Women's and Zimbabwe Women's national cricket squads.
Free Access for Female Spectators: To mark the sporting milestone and inspire young girls across the state, the Sai government announced 100 percent free stadium entry for all female spectators—including mothers, sisters, and daughters—encouraging families to witness elite international athletes in action.
Igniting Sporting Ambition: CM Sai observed that watching world-class women cricketers live from the stands will serve as a powerful catalyst, driving young girls across rural and urban Chhattisgarh to pursue competitive sports, athletics, and international sporting excellence.

